A few months ago, I was invited to participate in the blog
tour for this book and after reading the summary, I accepted the invite even
though I did have a little bit of hesitation about the story. The reason for my hesitation was because I had
never before read any books or stories that revolved entirely around scents and
smells and wondered what kind of a story this would turn out to be. Also, reading the summary, I got the
impression at first that this would lean toward magical realism more than
anything else, which is not a genre that I read a whole lot in, so I was a
little concerned that I might struggle through this one. Well, it turns out I need not have worried,
as this book was nothing like I imagined it and in the end, I not only devoured
this one, I actually fell in love with the story as well as most of its characters.
This was a fascinating read for me, one in which I
enjoyed every minute reading it and quite honestly, didn’t want it to end. I actually have never read a book quite like
this one – unique in its detailed exploration of scent through the character of
Emmeline and the talent she possessed, done in a way that was fascinating and
engaging, yet also incorporating the familiarity of a story about family, love,
relationships (with people as well as with nature), and the realities of ordinary
life (whether good, bad, or everything in between). I love books that teach me things, that make
me wonder, reflect, and ponder, that give me food for thought, and most of all,
that make me continue to think about the story or its characters long after I
finish reading – this book definitely did all that and then some! To be
honest, before reading this book, I never gave much thought to our sense of
smell or the types of images that certain scents and fragrances can conjure up –
it was another one of those things I took for granted as being a necessary part
of life but not tremendously special.
This book changed my perspective in a big way, as it helped me realize
how scents can be used to evoke memories (both pleasant and unpleasant), but can
also be used to steer human behavior and even manipulate people into acting in
certain ways. Already, it has made me
more aware in the sense that when I smell certain scents now, I wonder about
the people and the story behind those scents…
If I had to choose the thing I loved most about this
book, I would have to say the writing, which was absolutely lyrical and
immersive – this was a story gorgeously written and beautifully told and yes,
some parts did take my breath away. It was also an emotional read for me – Emmeline’s
journey of self-discovery was heart-wrenching at times but also heartfelt and hopeful. I know that Emmeline is a character I will
remember for a long time to come.
With all that said though, my one complaint – and the main
reason why this book was just shy of a 5 star read for me – was the ending, which
was way too abrupt and actually left me thinking that perhaps I was missing a few
pages somewhere. After such a beautiful,
heartfelt journey – one that I was so immersed and invested in – to have it end
the way it did was jarring and more than a little bit disappointing. Luckily, the rest of the story was strong
enough that it didn’t impact how I felt about the book overall but I think if
the ending had been done differently, this would have been a perfect read.
Without a doubt, this is a book that I highly recommend –
one that I feel no review can do justice to, as it is a story that must be
experienced for yourself. This was one I’m
definitely glad I read, as it grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go,
even after the very last page. Definitely
pick this one up, as it is a story that absolutely deserves to be read!
Received ARC from
St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley
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About the Author:
Erica Bauermeister is the author of the bestselling novel The School of Essential Ingredients, Joy for Beginners, and The Lost Art of Mixing. She is also the co-author of the non-fiction works, 500 Great Books by Women: A Reader’s Guide and Let’s Hear It For the Girls: 375 Great Books for Readers 2-14. She has a PhD in literature from the University of Washington, and has taught there and at Antioch University. She is a founding member of the Seattle7Writers and currently lives in Port Townsend, Washington.
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About the Author:
Erica Bauermeister is the author of the bestselling novel The School of Essential Ingredients, Joy for Beginners, and The Lost Art of Mixing. She is also the co-author of the non-fiction works, 500 Great Books by Women: A Reader’s Guide and Let’s Hear It For the Girls: 375 Great Books for Readers 2-14. She has a PhD in literature from the University of Washington, and has taught there and at Antioch University. She is a founding member of the Seattle7Writers and currently lives in Port Townsend, Washington.
About the Book:
Erica Bauermeister, the national bestselling author of The School of Essential Ingredients,
presents a moving and evocative coming-of-age novel about childhood
stories, families lost and found, and how a fragrance conjures memories
capable of shaping the course of our lives.
Emmeline
lives an enchanted childhood on a remote island with her father, who
teaches her about the natural world through her senses. What he won’t
explain are the mysterious scents stored in the drawers that line the
walls of their cabin, or the origin of the machine that creates them.
As Emmeline grows, however, so too does her curiosity, until one day the
unforeseen happens, and Emmeline is vaulted out into the real world--a
place of love, betrayal, ambition, and revenge. To understand her past,
Emmeline must unlock the clues to her identity, a quest that challenges
the limits of her heart and imagination.
Lyrical and immersive, The Scent Keeper
explores the provocative beauty of scent, the way it can reveal hidden
truths, lead us to the person we seek, and even help us find our way
back home.
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